Critical Essay by Lois Spatz

In the following essay, Spatz traces the development of Dikaiopolis's character in the Acharnians, from a poor refugee to a triumphant, powerful individual.

I Summary of Acharnians

The Acharnians, which won first prize at the Lenaea of 425, reflects conditions in Athens during the sixth year of the Peloponnesian War. Pericles' war strategy was to defeat the enemy quickly by maintaining control of the seas without risking a land battle with the superior Spartan army. In effect, the area outside Athens was abandoned to the enemy. For the past six summers, all the farmers of Attica had retreated within the city walls to watch as the Spartan invaders ravaged their fields. They suffered as...